Topeka, Kansas, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 39.042 latitude and -95.6697 longitude, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy output in Topeka fluctuates considerably across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily average of 6.95 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 5.21 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, generating 4.02 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 2.56 kWh/day.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Topeka, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This orientation allows for optimal sunlight capture throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Peak Production Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Topeka are during the summer months, typically from June through August. This period offers longer daylight hours and higher sun angles, resulting in peak solar panel efficiency. Spring and early fall also provide favorable conditions for solar production, though not as optimal as summer.

Environmental Considerations

While Topeka's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Severe weather events: Topeka occasionally experiences thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes, which could potentially damage solar installations.
• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.

Mitigation Strategies

To address these environmental challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider implementing the following measures:

Install hail-resistant solar panels and protective coverings to safeguard against severe weather damage. Use snow-shedding panel designs or manual snow removal techniques to minimize winter production losses. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning of panels can help ensure optimal performance throughout the year.

Overall, while Topeka faces some seasonal and weather-related challenges, its location still offers a good potential for solar energy production, especially during the spring and summer months.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Topeka

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.042, Longitude: -95.6697 (Topeka, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 34° South in Topeka, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Topeka, United States (Lat/Long 39.042, -95.6697) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Topeka, United States

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Topeka, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
23° South in Summer	43° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	32° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Topeka, United States

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Topeka, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Topeka, United States

Topeka, the capital city of Kansas, is situated in a region characterized by gently rolling hills and expansive prairies. The topography around Topeka is primarily flat to moderately undulating, with some areas featuring low hills and shallow valleys. The Kansas River, which flows through the city, has carved a broad valley that adds some variation to the landscape. The surrounding area is predominantly rural, with vast stretches of agricultural land interspersed with patches of woodland and grassland. To the north and east of Topeka, the terrain becomes slightly more hilly, with occasional bluffs and ravines. To the south and west, the landscape tends to be flatter, with wide-open spaces that stretch towards the horizon.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain surrounding Topeka offers numerous advantages for solar energy development. The open spaces to the south and west of the city are particularly promising for solar farms due to their expansive, unobstructed views of the sky and minimal shading from natural features or structures. These areas benefit from abundant sunshine throughout the year, with Kansas receiving an average of 230 sunny days annually. The lack of significant elevation changes in these regions also simplifies the construction and maintenance of solar arrays, reducing overall costs and improving efficiency. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow could be ideal candidates for solar PV installations. Many farmers in the region have shown interest in leasing portions of their land for solar energy production, providing an additional source of income while maintaining their agricultural operations on the remaining acreage. It's worth noting that while the areas south and west of Topeka may be most suitable for large-scale solar projects, the entire region surrounding the city has potential for solar energy development. The key considerations would be proximity to existing power infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. As the push for renewable energy continues to grow, the plains around Topeka offer a promising landscape for harnessing the power of the sun and contributing to a more sustainable energy future for Kansas and beyond.

United States solar PV Stats as a country

United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.